SHOW: A charity fundraising concert organised by John Williams took place at Garndiffaith Millennium Hall, Pontypool, on June 10. 

John Williams can be justifiably proud of the support shown by the music makers and large audience in raising over £1,000 for the Mother Janet Orphanage in Uganda and for several other charities. 

John gave a warm welcome to all, especially to two Australian visitors. 

The New Harmony Singers opened the concert, with Musical Director Pam Guy BEM and new Accompanist Jeslyn Asir; Heather Langdon, having retired after 30+ years as Accompanist to NHS. Jeslyn is a Graduate in Engineering and is taking a post-graduate course in Welsh College of Music and Drama. Welcome Jeslyn! 

Good wishes in gratitude to Heather. The 38 members of the choir delighted us with a medley of opening numbers, including the rousing All That Jazz.

Blaenavon Male Voice Choir has an international reputation and was accompanied by Sarah Humber, with musical director Gareth Whitcombe; one of the founders and organisers of the Mother Janet Orphanage Charity.

The choir gave a superb range of numbers including a comic number, The Perfect Male Voice Choir, sung for the first time that evening! A great treat!

The two choirs performed in both halves of the concert whilst the soloists were Luke Farley, who was accompanied by Pam Guy, and Laura Sidney; both were superb and used their sets to showcase a vast range of repertoire skills. 

Gareth Whitcombe reported on the marvellous work of the orphanage and reverend Rufus Noyes gave the blessing and conducted a minute’s silence to commemorate the tragic terrorist attacks in Manchester and London. 

Congratulations to all on a magnificent concert for a very worthy cause, and to Colin, Gareth’s cousin, also a chorister, visiting from Australia, who accepted a surprise invitation to join the boys from Blaenavon in their closing number,  African Trilogy, with Gareth as soloist.

The concert concluded with the fitting finale of our Welsh national anthem. 

 (Mary Barnett)